The Tempest Tales

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"Tempest Tales”

By: Walter Mosley

                Notable author Walter Mosley, steps out of his famous series of Easy Rollins crime and murder mysteries and into a novel that challenges the traditional interpretation of faith and belief. Here the reader is introduced to Tempest Landry, a Black man living in Harlem, his is a life of daily survival. The book opens with Tempest being murdered by the police in a case of mistaken identity. Tempest is then sent to the afterlife. While approaching the pearly gates and St. Peter, he is asked to accept his sins and be cast into Hell with the Devil. Tempest refuses and explains that the sins he is being accused of were merely circumstantial occurrences. This refusal and challenge to the order of things interrupts the routine of the passage into the afterlife and frustrates the Angels. As a result Tempest is sent back to Earth along with a guardian angel who takes the form of a human. The purpose of the angel is to discuss with Tempest the nature of the sins he has committed and accept being condemned to hell. However as the angel begins to experience the everyday life of a person in the same circumstance as Tempest it becomes harder for him to form his arguments against Tempest. When discussing the nature or content surrounding a sin, Tempest simply questions whether an error, is the same as sin.

                This book is an honest conversation that people would with to have with an authority of God. It questions the nature of sin, guilt, and circumstance. Mosley poses the provocative question: Is sin for Blacks the same as it is for Whites? And who gets to decide? Done in a style with humor and quick wit Tempest Tales is an easy read that everyone should go out and read. However you get it, check out the library or borrow from a friend, just make sure you go out and Read a Book!! 

Listen Live on MindStream radio Tuesday and Thursday from 4-7 www.m.elitedcradio.com 

"THE KID"

“The Kid”

By: Sapphire

Controversial Author Sapphire brings her readers the sequel from her tragic 1997 release of Push. In the conclusion of previous heartbreaking story “Push” heroine Precious walks away victorious with the custody of her children and a hopeful life ahead of her. The opening of “The Kid” introduces us to young Abdul at the age of 8 preparing for his mothers’ funeral that day. Succumbing to complications from AIDS Precious has passed away and left Abdul vulnerable to society. Sapphire, true to form, illustrates how Abdul’s world is turned upside down as the result of his mothers’ death and was soon placed into foster care where he soon experiences the dark-side of the system. Following along Abdul’s transformation from a young intelligent child with a future, into a victim and soon after a victimizer in a Catholic orphanage is heart wrenching to witness however it opens the readers’ eyes to how easily Abdul’s situation can be applied to a non-fictional character. 

The patterns of speech and thought in ‘The Kid’ are somewhat complicated to understand. The confused ramblings of a 8, and 14 year old transform into the clear views of a man nearing adulthood. Past stories of Abduls’ grandmother and great grandmother gives insight into the cycle of molestation, incest, rape, and poverty that both Abdul and his mother were cursed to be born in. I can’t say that this book is enjoyable to read, even if you can take “Push” its sequel is much more difficult to stomach. However it is beneficial to read as far discussing the issues of sexual abuse that runs rampant in the Black community under the shroud of secrecy. It also exposes the holes of the legal and foster care system that have long needed to be discussed and fixed so that “The Kid” does not have to one day be the reality and autobiography for another. However you get it make sure you go out and READ A BOOK!

"Perfect Peace"

“Perfect Peace”

By: Daniel Black PhD.

                Author and Associate Professor Daniel Black in his third novel ‘Perfect Peace’ addresses the complexities of gender, sexual identity, and the nature vs. nurture argument within the African American community. Set in Jim Crow Arkansas rural south. Black introduces his reader to the Peace family. Henrietta and Gus Peace are the parents of 6 boys; they are a farming family that relies heavily on manual labor in order to make ends meet. The book opens with Henrietta in labor with their 7^th child whom everyone is hoping turns out to be a girl. Gus has already stated regardless of the sex of the child, this will be their last child because they simply cannot afford another mouth to feed. Henrietta gives birth to another boy, however, overwhelmed with disappointment and panic she blackmails the midwife forcing her to announce that the new addition to the Peace family is a beautiful baby girl named Perfect.

                Perfect is a child that grows up believing she is as any ordinary girl until her 8^th birthday when her world falls apart after her mother tells her the truth. Now turning from Perfect into Paul Peace author Daniel Black takes the reader on Paul’s journey through confusion, heart break, and ultimately resolution to who he is as a man. Black demonstrates his ability to develop characters in a manner in which none are one dimensional, he works multiple plot lines and gives all who are featured in this story depth.  Black brotherly love, whether sexual or not pervades this book in a way of reassurance that demonstrates men, specifically Black men are able to express themselves and reveal feelings about themselves unashamedly. Perfect Peace is a noble effort in the discussion of gender identity which has been swept under the rug in the past by the Black community rather than seeing it with a critical eye. And how past generations may have dealt with this type of issue which conflicts with some modern interpretations.

                Overall this is a good read for anyone, Perfect Peace is a page turner that keeps the reader engaged in the story never wanting to put the book down. So whatever you do, however you get it, go and check out Perfect Peace by Daniel Black and READ A BOOK!

"One Day it'll All Make Sense"

“One Day it’ll All Make Sense”

Written By: Common & Adam Bradley

‘Conscious’ rapper, actor, and now book author Common has broken into the literary world with his autobiographical work entitled ‘One Day it’ll All Make Sense’ named for his 1997 studio album. Common illustrates his childhood experiences growing up in Chicago with his mother Dr. Mahalia Ann Hines who plays a role in the flow of the book as well. In addition to writing the foreword to her sons’ book, the chapters are echoed by Dr. Hines commentary along the trail ways of Common’s life and career adding her own insight into his experiences. Common also adds another element of depth by starting each chapter with a personalized letter addressing and important figure in his life including his parents, daughter, Kanye West, Erykah Badu, and Hip-Hop herself.

Common is able to bring the reader along a candid journey of finding himself and coming into his own light as an artist. I highly recommend this book for any hip hop fan, conscious, fan, not familiar with Common, anyone. Common underlines the intricacies, intensity, creativity, and weirdness that consists of who we as fans understand him to be. He discusses the celebrities whose paths he has been fortunate to cross from his youth including Michael Jordan, Ice Cube, Mos Def, and more. His spirituality plays a large role in what motivates him and he discusses a childhood experience that he feels ties him to the hate crime victim Emmett Till who was also a son of Chicago.

In addition to rap, Common has entered into the world of Hollywood and takes acting extremely seriously. He divulges that he came very close to being the first Black superhero on film portraying the Green Lantern, however the funding fell through and he continued looking for roles. Also He addresses the controversy surrounding his invitation to the White House. First Lady Michelle Obama, being a fan, invited Common to an evening for youth celebrating poetry and expression. He and President Obama share a connection in being Chicago natives, and members of Rev. Jeremiah Wrights church, which compelled him to write a moving poem for the event.

Love, loss, adolescence, spirituality, belief, hurt, and joy are all emotionally tied into the experiences that have made Common into the artist we see in front of us. He shows his humanity, and his humility.  He honestly delves into his gradual progression into fame and his internal battle as a conscious artist. “The only problem with being labeled a conscious artist is that people assume that’s all you are that you’re not also a complex and flawed individual. Just because I might write a song that speaks up for awareness doesn’t mean I haven’t made mistakes and that I’m not going to continue making more mistakes on my journey through life” (pg. 303).

"WISDOM TEETH"

“Wisdom Teeth”

By: Derrick Weston Brown

Published by: Busboys and Poets Press

                D.C. poet Derrick Weston Brown has released a collection of his poems that explore manhood, Black identity, Nostalgic D.C., and personal testimonies of his own. Breaking the book into five sections of varying themes Brown exhibits various poetic techniques. Hourglass Flow, The Unscene, Wisdom Teeth, and Ajar are sections which contain comical, sarcastic, satirical flows. The Sweet Home Men Series is a collection of poems dedicated to the characters of author Toni Morrison’s book Beloved. Additional topics include words dedicated to the late Octavia Butler, police victim Sean Bell, a haiku for comical genius Richard Pryor, the story of Malcolm X told from the position of his glasses, what Ms. Bonita Applebum is other than the object of the male gaze, and much, much, much more. Wisdom teeth is a treasure trove of expression and style that will benefit all who read, and those D.C. natives can appreciate the familiar language of the city hotspots including U street, and Adams Morgan. My personal favorites include, “What it’s Like to Date in D.C”, “Kitchen Gods”, “Missed Train” and “Snagglepuss spills His Guts”. So whatever you do and however you get it go out and Read a Book, especially support the local artist and publishing company. Read a Book!

"A LIFE OF REINVENTION"

“A Life of Reinvention”

By: Manning Marable Ph.D

 In this masterful work, the late Manning Marable provides in depth detailed information that critiques the content of the “Autobiography of Malcolm X”.  Co-written by both Malcolm X and author Alex Haley, who completed the document after Malcolm’s passing, the autobiography is critiqued by Marable in a manner that challenges many assertions and recounts by Malcolm.

One of the more controversial of his statements is the suggestion of Malcolm displaying homosexual tendencies in his Detroit Red period. Marable documents that Malcolm engaged in a homosexual relationship with a wealthy White man. He asserts that the character “Rudy” was created by Haley and Malcolm as a way of disguising Malcolm’s gay exploits from his deviant past. Marable goes on by exposing Malcolm’s older sisters’ extensive criminal background she shares with her brother, as well as revealing a love affair between Malcolm’s wife Dr. Betty Shabazz and a member of the Nation of Islam.

So as you can see this book is filled with new information and a new perspective on the life that Malcolm X lead and places several pieces into place of Malcolm’s mysterious or misrepresented past. Marable ensures his readers that the book was not written to remove respect or power from Malcolm’s message or purpose.  This was the life’s work of Manning Marable, He died before the book was published and it is an extremely detailed and well organized piece that is welcomed into the literary world as a topic of passionate discussion. So whatever you do and however you get it go out and READ A BOOK!!!!